Solution phase synthesis of multicomponent and anisotropic nanostructures

Abstract

The ability to explore additional dimensions besides particle size to tune the properties of nanomaterials has important implications for the development of new materials, and may provide a basis for the development of new applications. This dissertation focuses on design and synthesis of non-conventional nanostructures, non-spherical quantum-confined structures and nanocrystal heterostructures to achieve desired and improved properties over isotropic, single-component nanocrystals. Synthesis of three major classes of inorganic nanocystals will be briefly discussed. Development of metallic nanoshells with tunable surface plasmon resonance absorption spectra, which are not obtainable from simple metal nanoparticles, will be detailed. A general strategy for the design and synthesis of hybrid nanocystals that integrate multiple functionalities will be presented. Nanomaterial properties have been tuned by changing nanocrystal composition to incorporate multiple kinds of materials. Through experimentation and characterization, an epitaxial solution phase growth mechanism has been developed and tested. The synthetic parameters that control the shape, morphology and anisotropic growth have been identified and explained. The synthesis of these nanostructures may open a new direction in nanomaterials research.